That's fine, but let's try to keep the thread on topic. This isn't the place for "DSBs don't work" opinions.
Flow Through DSB
- Thread starter bioload
- Start date
Aquarist007
New member
Understood.
bioload
Having moments of clarity
Now that the playoffs are over.....congrats to the folks in the windy city, I've had a chance to get everything together.
I've set up the bed to overflow back into the tank which shouldn't affect what I'm looking for, and as indicated more representative of a typical RDSB type set up. In addition I also realized that the 5 gallon tank only had one drain, and if that should get blocked....well you know.
Here are the first few pics....sand will be added later.
From the front
Closeup of the drain
Overflow and drain
Drip control and Return to tank
Where samples will be taken
I've set up the bed to overflow back into the tank which shouldn't affect what I'm looking for, and as indicated more representative of a typical RDSB type set up. In addition I also realized that the 5 gallon tank only had one drain, and if that should get blocked....well you know.
Here are the first few pics....sand will be added later.
From the front
Closeup of the drain
Overflow and drain
Drip control and Return to tank
Where samples will be taken
TheFishMan65
New member
Looks good. BUt I think you forgot something. Maybe a little sand 
bioload
Having moments of clarity
Looks good. BUt I think you forgot something. Maybe a little sand
Who said anything about having sand? :reading:
bioload
Having moments of clarity
DAY 0
Sand Added this afternoon
Particle Size - Not sugar fine sand but the what I have available at the moment. If I don't get any positive NNR I may have to replace. Will also demonstrate how much impact particle size has regarding NNR.
Starting Nitrate Tests
ORP (DSB) = 300mV (dropped to 180mV within 20min of adding sand)
pH (DSB) = 8.00
Drip rate = 0.67 drops/min
Sand Added this afternoon
Particle Size - Not sugar fine sand but the what I have available at the moment. If I don't get any positive NNR I may have to replace. Will also demonstrate how much impact particle size has regarding NNR.
Starting Nitrate Tests
ORP (DSB) = 300mV (dropped to 180mV within 20min of adding sand)
pH (DSB) = 8.00
Drip rate = 0.67 drops/min
TheFishMan65
New member
That is some nice colors. I don't recognize the color or bottles. Salifert maybe? When you get few moments can you take a picture of the color chart for those of us that use a different test? Thanks. Probably doesn't realy matter, but just for the record.
TheFishMan65
New member
No that is what I wanted. Thanks
bioload
Having moments of clarity
this is a great list --I'll add it to the Capn's Log thread with credit to you "“ Glad you find them useful, and thank you.
You might want to read some of PaulB's threads on RUGF and why deep sand beds fail.
I'll see if I can find the links for you "“ Will do and thanks once again
I side with the other group that believe nitrates and phosphates are carried to the lower anerobic and anoxic areas by the organisms etc that live in the sand bed. This is supported by the work of Calfo, Fenner, Schemick etc "“ Since there are no organisms living in the sand (that I am aware of) This would be a good opportunity for me to see this first hand. I need to do a bit more follow up on this theory to comment. Most of the information I've come across deals with the interactions between the water, nitrates, oxygen, and bacteria. I'm interested in finding out the role other organisms would play. What organisms specifically would they be referring to"¦..I'll Google some more in the meantime :reading:
You might want to read some of PaulB's threads on RUGF and why deep sand beds fail.
I'll see if I can find the links for you "“ Will do and thanks once again
I side with the other group that believe nitrates and phosphates are carried to the lower anerobic and anoxic areas by the organisms etc that live in the sand bed. This is supported by the work of Calfo, Fenner, Schemick etc "“ Since there are no organisms living in the sand (that I am aware of) This would be a good opportunity for me to see this first hand. I need to do a bit more follow up on this theory to comment. Most of the information I've come across deals with the interactions between the water, nitrates, oxygen, and bacteria. I'm interested in finding out the role other organisms would play. What organisms specifically would they be referring to"¦..I'll Google some more in the meantime :reading:
bioload
Having moments of clarity
Day 1
ORP (DSB) = 270mV +/- 10mV
pH (DSB) = 7.29
Drip rate = 0.83 drops/sec
Notes: ORP gradually climbed back up from the initial drop when sand was added. Not sure why this is but I'm thinking may have something to due with flushing out whatever may have been in the sand. Sand was rinsed and stored in a bucket for several week before use.
ORP (DSB) = 270mV +/- 10mV
pH (DSB) = 7.29
Drip rate = 0.83 drops/sec
Notes: ORP gradually climbed back up from the initial drop when sand was added. Not sure why this is but I'm thinking may have something to due with flushing out whatever may have been in the sand. Sand was rinsed and stored in a bucket for several week before use.
bioload
Having moments of clarity
Some more intersting links:
Dissolved Oxygen
Oxygen (O) and water
Water deaeration
LOW OXYGEN AND POND AERATION
Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity
Autotrophic Biological Denitrification with Elemental Sulfur or Hydrogen for Complete Removal of Nitrate-Nitrogen from a Septic System Wastewater
Dissolved Oxygen
Oxygen (O) and water
Water deaeration
LOW OXYGEN AND POND AERATION
Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity
Autotrophic Biological Denitrification with Elemental Sulfur or Hydrogen for Complete Removal of Nitrate-Nitrogen from a Septic System Wastewater
Allmost
New member
Day 1
ORP (DSB) = 270mV +/- 10mV
pH (DSB) = 7.29
Drip rate = 0.83 drops/sec
Notes: ORP gradually climbed back up from the initial drop when sand was added. Not sure why this is but I'm thinking may have something to due with flushing out whatever may have been in the sand. Sand was rinsed and stored in a bucket for several week before use.
nice, the PH of 7.3 will soon start to break down the aragonite, check calcium and KH and MG in your tank
in 2 weeks you will start seeing yellow patches in the sand, sulfide.
I did a test on my DSB this weekend to see how much life is in it, and well, I had to soak my hand in vineager for 3 hours lol, although we cant see them, its full of life, there were 10 cm worms connected to my hand :S white fuzzy worms lol and the DSB has been up for exactly 6 months now.
djneedledamage
In Memoriam
I was thinking of doing the same idea but linking 5 gallon buckets together.
bioload
Having moments of clarity
When I chaecked the tank this morning I noticed something strange. There was a increase in the ORP and pH readings which were significantly higher than the night before. Did not get a chance to check the drip rate but it seems to be unchanged.
ORP: 291mV
pH: 7.81
Not sure if this it a trend but I will make it a point to check in the morning and before lights out. Does anyone have any ideas what may have caused the increase overnight?....normal?
ORP: 291mV
pH: 7.81
Not sure if this it a trend but I will make it a point to check in the morning and before lights out. Does anyone have any ideas what may have caused the increase overnight?....normal?
TheFishMan65
New member
Here is something I found that may help (for terminology if nothing else) (lifted from: Deep Sand Bed -- Anatomy & Terminology)
- Benthic: surface and near sub-surface sand bed layer.
- Hypoxic: low oxygen.
- Anoxic: no oxygen.
- Anaerobic: requires depleted oxygen to function.
- Denitrifying: converts nitrate into nitrogen.
- Benthic: surface and near sub-surface sand bed layer.
- Hypoxic: low oxygen.
- Anoxic: no oxygen.
- Anaerobic: requires depleted oxygen to function.
- Denitrifying: converts nitrate into nitrogen.
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